July 29, 2010
In full bloom
12:00 AM | 
Posted by
Nish
In Portland, where I live for the majority of the year, there's this very small window of time that is precious for all of the city's residents. Usually, it happens sometime between March and April. Once we feel our first brush of warm spring air, we know it's creeping up... nipping at our heels and we await anxiously for its arrival.
This period of time is so fast. It only lasts three weeks in a generous year. Portlanders are quick to soak it in.
I'm talking about the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms.
Portland rests at the junction of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, so the waterfront parks are stunning and beautiful and lined with steel bridges and arches. The city lights reflect off the surface of the slow-moving water at night, providing even more light on your drive over the bridges.
The cherry blossoms line the waterfront park next to downtown. Beautiful even rows create this breathtaking canopy of pink above bright shades of green. It's unlike anything you've ever seen.
When the cherry blossoms bloom, you'll see upwards of twenty photographers in the park, taking pictures of families with newborns, engagement photos and capturing the perfect shades of pink against blue skies.
Every year, I try to make it to the park to sit underneath that pink against blue.
This spring, as I was laying on the grass, with my little boy on the blanket next to me, I stared up at those flowers... the ones we wait for. The ones we yearn for. And I started to think, ask questions and look deep into the reflections of my own heart.
"When will I come into full bloom? When am I the most beautiful? When are people drawn to me?"
In my heart of hearts, I know that I am in full bloom when I am being my true self... when I take off the mask of unrealistic perfection and allow myself to just... be.
I know that I am the most beautiful when I let my heart soar. I am the most beautiful when I am passionate. When I worship. When I love others.
I know that people are drawn to me when I am honest. When I show my true colors and admit my faults. Because you see, people don't like to be alone. And we aren't meant to live life alone.
My brightest and most beautiful moments are found when I am being who I was designed to be.
So, what about you?
When do you come into full bloom? When do you feel beautiful?
My personal blog: The Outdoor Wife
Find me on Twitter: @theoutdoorwife
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15 comments:
Oh, Nish...your photos are so beautiful! True beauty is without question being who God designed us to be.
VERY beautiful trees. I mostly came to look because the name of my church is "Seeds of Faith" a Methodist church in Lester, IA! Nice to meet you!
Nish, first off, the pictures are just gorgeous!! Secondly, thank you for writing such a beautiful post. It is just wonderful! I am thrilled you are on this team with us!
What beautiful cherry blossoms! We lived in Japan and they had a ton of these. I sure miss them!
Great post and great question!!! I think that I am most in bloom soon after God has pruned me...allowing people to see the process of being pruned helps them to really appreciate the blooming as it starts happening...And God's Glory is so evident in those moments...know what I mean?
:-) Thank you for sharing your beautiful story today! I needed the reminder!!
What a simply beautiful and thought provoking post!!
Wow! This is awesome Nish! It reminds me of the brief time in Texas when the bluebonnets line the highways. Again, you see families getting out of their cars alone interstates just to take those precious pictures with the flowers.
I love how you talk about vulnerability being beautiful! I so agree. I hope to bloom to this point someday! It is certainly my prayer!
Have a great Thursday!
Nish, what beautiful word-pictures you paint! Your photos are gorgeous too...makes me want to take a trip out your way next Spring. :)
This was such an uplifting message that you brought. I like Mary Joy's comment about pruning, too. Sometimes it hurts to be pruned, but we're so much better for it.
Love this post, and love your writing style. God Bless!
I'm so glad I found this blog. Lisa over at Raising Leaders told me about you. I'm your newest follower. It's when I stay in my wallking prayer life that I feel most in full bloom - relaxed in the knowledge that all is well and not in my hands. We have a botantical gardens here in Brooklyn and each year I wait for the cherry trees to blossom - and talk about glory of God being reflected in his creation, it's truly a sight to behold. When the blossoms start falling I try to be their so I can walk under the trees and have the pink petals fall all around me. Smiles.
Ooh I loved this post and I found a fellow Portlander!!! YAY! I agree, our city is so beautiful around that time of year. The Cherry Blossom Tree is my favorite tree- because for me, it signified a new phase in the chapters of my life. Thanks for this post. The reminders of the city, the trees and reminder of the awesomeness of God!
Wonderful post, thought provoking questions and a walk through my birth city. Happy Morning.
I am most beautiful wrapped in the arms of my husband. At least that's what he says before he pulls me close.
I NEVER feel beautiful. When I was younger .........but those days are far behind me. But I feel blessed, and blessed has a beauty of it's own.
MaryB
marynate.blogspot.com
Speaking of beautiful, that was beautifully written.
I feel most beautiful when I am feeling it in the inside...when sin does not get the best of me.
-The Lean Green Mommy Machine
Beautiful trees. I am your newest follower from top mommy blogs!
I would love for you to stop by my blog
http://shining2save.com
Hope you have a great weekend!
Kari
This is a great post! And that picture is absolutely beautiful!!!
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